Adults aren’t the only ones suffering from excess weight. A recently released Surgeon General’s report says more children ages 6 to 20 are more overweight than ever before.

As of 1999, there were nearly twice as many overweight children and almost three times as many overweight adolescents as there were in 1980. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one in every five U.S. children is considered overweight. No wonder the Institute of Medicine has declared war on the nation’s "epidemic of obesity."

If there are any baby boomers out there, you can probably count on one hand the number of your classmates who were overweight. Not only were our eating habits different, but our lifestyles were dramatically different.

While I didn’t have to walk 20 miles through the snow, barefoot, I did have to walk or ride my bike two miles to school, and we had P.E. everyday. After homework and snack we were told, "Go play outside." So we did -- all the way until dinner. During the summer months we would go outside after dinner and play until the street lights went on.

There were no choices of what to have for dinner. It was meatloaf on Wednesday, fish on Friday (good Catholics), and spaghetti on Sunday (good Italians). The family all ate together. I don’t remember soda in the refrigerator until all of us kids had moved out. We drank milk, lemonade, an occasional Kool-aid, and water from the hose on hot days. Breakfast was non-optional and snacking was monitored by mom.

Some of the biggest contributing factors to our current state of childhood obesity are: no breakfast, too many sugar-filled drinks and sodas, fast foods, and lack of activity. Not only is this lifestyle affecting the weight of a child or adolescent, but it affects their future as well. Children are being diagnosed with adult diseases much earlier, resulting from poor eating and their sedentary lives.

Today, 40% of children 6-11 don’t eat breakfast at all and an even higher percentage of adolescents skip that important starter meal of the day. Children are not getting enough fiber through grains or fruits and vegetables. The amount of processed, high salt, high fat fast foods are frightening and the sugar consumption has skyrocketed.

Parents play an important role in this major dilemma we have. Children learn most of their habits at home. If the parents are active, it is likely the whole family will be somewhat active. Parents’ eating habits and food choices are also passed on to children, whether known or not.

Prevent childhood obesity, instill positive, healthy habits, and improved self-image in children by making a few small changes.

Monitor your child’s portions.
Just like adults, children can learn to eat out of habit or boredom and not true hunger.

Cut down on the sodas.
Choose fruit juices mixed with sparkling water as a refreshing alternative.

Limit fast foods or quick frozen meals.
Include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains in your family’s diet.

Encourage active family activities.
Family walks, hikes, bike rides are all fun and beneficial.

Be an example.
Your children want to be just like you, and they will.

For your own health’s sake, and that of your children, make healthy food choices and include regular physical activity every day.